For generations, women have struggled with menopause mostly in silence.
Sure, they vented about the mood changes and hot flashes with their best friends, but overall, they were expected to keep their symptoms to themselves.
The problem is, when an issue is too taboo to discuss, that’s when misinformation takes hold. According to a 2023 study from the journal BMC Women’s Health, one of the major factors that leads to women’s negative attitude towards menopause is that our culture often portrays “the change” with a harmful slant around aging instead of a complex health issue that requires medical care. Because of this, empathy is replaced by apathy, and facts are swapped for myths:
- Myth #1 – Menopause is all in my head. For too long, women have been gaslit by the medical field about the menopause symptoms they experience. They’re over-reacting, they’re stressed out, they’re not exercising enough. In reality, hormonal shifts associated with menopause impact all areas of the body, including brain function, metabolism, and sexual health. The physical pain and discomfort of menopause are real and can make daily living difficult when not treated.
- Myth #2 – I won’t experience menopause until my 50s. Women reach menopause when their period stops for 12 months in a row. However, menopause is a years-long process that can start in your late 30s or early 40s. The first signs of perimenopause, including mood changes, headaches, joint pain, discomfort during sex, and sleep issues, are often dismissed as other health concerns.
- Myth #3 – My doctor will diagnose my menopause symptoms. In one study of 500,000 women in various stages of menopause, researchers from Yale University found that while 60 percent of them sought out medical treatment for their condition, three-fourths were left untreated. One of the biggest reasons behind this disparity is that, overall, doctors do not receive adequate training to treat menopause – in 2023, less than one-third of OB-GYN residency programs had a menopause curriculum. Adding to the problem is the fact that insurance red tape makes it difficult for doctors to spend enough time with patients in the exam room to correctly diagnose their symptoms.
The best way to combat these myths is for women to learn more about the complexities of perimenopause and menopause, advocate for themselves in their doctors’ offices, and share their experiences with friends and family.
As a gynecologist and certified menopause practitioner, I encourage all women to track any changes in their physical, emotional, and mental health, from a frozen shoulder to brain fog, and start the menopause conversation with your medical provider. Even if a blood test shows your hormone levels are normal, perimenopause and menopause can be diagnosed through a clinical evaluation of symptoms and treated with a whole-woman approach to care.
Regardless of what society tells us about menopause, this transition to a new stage of life is an exciting one. With aging comes a renewed sense of confidence and liberation, greater acceptance of self, and the opportunity to pursue new goals. As more women take control of their health and uplift each other’s experiences, the myths of menopause will no longer hold anyone back from getting the care they need.
For more information on whole-women menopause care, contact BoutiqueGYN for your free 15-minute consultation. Because BoutiqueGYN is a concierge, membership-based practice, you’ll benefit from longer visits, direct access to your provider, and ongoing communication that delivers better outcomes. Visit www.myboutiquegyn.com today to schedule your appointment.
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